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12. Composition of the Flemish Government

After the elections of 1995, it would have been possible theoretically to have a government for the Flemish Region and Community with another composition than the federal government. In other countries, like for example the German Federal Republic or Spain, it is not uncommon that the governments of the Länder or the regions are composed in another way than the federal government.

In this case, it would have been possible to have a center-right CVP-VLD coalition in the Flemish government, opposed to the center-left CVP-PSC-SP-PS coalition on the federal level. That this didn't happen, isn't so suspicious in se, but it is rather bizarre that the formation of the Flemish government had to wait until a federal government was formed. The Brussel's, Walloon or French governments didn't have such restriction.

Own Dynamics

The danger arising from a Flemish government having another composition than the federal government is that such a Flemish government might develop its own dynamics. If the two governments are composed in the same way, this danger is much lower. These own dynamics on a Flemish level may so result in a confrontation between the two authorities, and develop into a possible fatal short-circuit between the Communities and Regions.

This scenario isn't completely imaginary. Even now, confrontations often take place, like in the case of Telenet Vlaanderen or the question about the Iron Rhine. They show how precarious the equilibrium is in Belgium. Now, if the fate of the Flemish government wouldn't be tight together with the fate of the federal government, the Flemish government might consider to push through on one of these questions. There is no doubt that in such a case, the Flemish public opinion will to support the Flemish government, that is, against the federal government.


© Filip van Laenen ( f.a.vanlaenen@ieee.org )